Country v city in Coffs Cup

Owner-trainer Ross Stitt is keen to try his latest star in listed company over the spring and Coffs Harbour Racing Club chairman Alan Johnson sees this race as a test of where the gelding is at.

“If Ross has that plan the horses he’ll be up against are city standard and how he fares should give him a good idea of how good his horse really is,” Johnson said.

Stitt will send out Youthful Jack in the Daniel Baker Sprint.

As promised by trainer Marc Conners, last year’s race winner Mossurmi will attempt back-to-back victories. He gave the stable evidence he is nearing his best by running second at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Danny Nikolic is likely to have the ride again after Nash Rawiller turned down the offer.

Gai Waterhouse will start Daintree Road on the recommendation of the stable’s head provincial jockey Mark Newnham.

“Mark has contacts up here and wants to win the Cup, so Gai told him to pick out a suitable ride and this is the one he’s chosen,” Johnson said.

“Other top horses nominated from the city are Gazza Guru and Delago Star, so it’s going to be a top field and very hard to pick a winner.”

Veteran sprinter Lifeboat will be back for a fourth crack at the Daniel Baker Memorial, having won the race twice and finishing runner-up last year.